How can I know God?

Here's the answer:

God reveals Himself to us through creation, the Bible, and Jesus Christ.

Suppose you see a beautiful painting and want to know about the painter. The painting tells you first that there’s a painter (or there wouldn’t be a painting). The painting also tells you a little bit about the painter. But you couldn’t know much about the painter unless you read about the painter or met him.

Just like the painting, we can know about God by seeing the world He created. When we see a beautiful flower or a towering mountain, we can know that God exists and that He is creative, wise, glorious, and powerful (like a beautiful painting tells you about a great painter, even if you cannot see the painter).

But creation is not enough for us to know God personally. Thankfully, God tells us about Himself in His Bible and through His Son, Jesus Christ. As you read the Bible (which is called God’s Word since God is the author), you can find out who God is: eternal, holy, just, loving, and much more.

However, your sin keeps you from knowing God personally. God is perfect, separate from sinners. But because He loved the world so much, He sent His own Son Jesus to take the punishment for believing sinners by dying on the cross. If God is working in your heart, turn from your sin and trust Jesus to save you. God will forgive your sins. Then as God’s adopted child, you can know God personally.

"Ever since the world was created it has been possible to see the qualities of God that are not seen. I’m talking about his eternal power and about the fact that he is God. Those things can be seen in what he has made..." (Romans 1:20).

"You heard [God’s word] from us. But you didn’t accept it as a human word. You accepted it for what it really is. It is God’s word. It is at work in you who believe" (1 Thessalonians 2:13b).

"And what is eternal life? It is knowing you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3).